One of the exhibition halls at the 2008 fair
The Tokyo International Anime Fair also known as Tokyo International Animation Fair (TAF; in Japanese: 東京国際アニメフェア) is one of the largest anime trade fairs in the world, held annually in Japan. The first event was held in 2002 as "Tokyo International Anime Fair 21". The event is held at Tokyo Big Sight, a convention and exhibition center in Tokyo Bay, in late March. Usually, the first one or two days of the fair are weekdays and the entrance is open only to industry members and the press; the last two days are scheduled on the weekend and the fair is open to the public.
Besides being an international trade fair, the TAF includes related events such as business symposia and other events. Notably, the Tokyo Anime Awards are given for domestic and foreign creations and creators in the event with the name of the event. The event is supported by the government agencies of Japan, like Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Ministry of Economy and the Cabinet Secretariat. The Association of Japanese Animations[2], funded by Tokyo Metropolitan Government, supports the event since 2002.[3]. The chairman of the event is the governor of Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara, one of the most powerful politicians of Japan at that time, who contributed a lot to the creation of the event and its promotion. Therefore, though the event does not have a long history, it and its prizes are recognized in the industry.
[edit] Event History
| Date |
Attendance |
Exhibitions |
Location |
| February 15-17, 2002 |
50,163 |
104 |
Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo |
| March 19-22, 2003 |
64,698 |
138 |
Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo |
| March 25-28, 2004 |
72,773 |
166 |
Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo |
| March 31-April 3, 2005 |
83,966 |
197 |
Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo |
| March 23-26, 2006 |
98,984 |
256 |
Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo |
| March 22-25, 2007 |
107,713 |
270 |
Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo |
| March 27-30, 2008 |
126,622 |
289 |
Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo |
| March 18-21, 2009 |
129,819 |
255 |
Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo |
| March 25-28, 2010 |
132,492 |
231 |
Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo |
| 2011 |
Cancelled |
[4]
[edit] 2011 Boycott Threat
In December 2010 a group of ten large manga publishers known as the Comic 10 Society (コミック10社会, Comikku 10 Shakai?) announced plans to boycott the 2011 event. The boycott is in protest at revisions to the Tokyo Youth Development Ordinance that increase regulation of manga and anime sales to under-18 year olds. This has been seen as a deliberate snub of Governor Ishihara, who is closely associated with both TAF and the changes to the law.[5][6][7] Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan has expressed concern about the impact of the boycott and urged the parties involved to work towards resolving the situation.[8][9]
[edit] 2011 Cancelation
Due to the devasating earthquake and tsunami that hit the northeast coast of Japan on March 11, 2011, it was announced five days later, that the 2011 event would be canceled. In addition, Tokyo Big Sight, which the event is held annually, suffered unspecified damage during the quake in the Tokyo area.[10]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
[edit] Convention reports
- "Tokyo International Anime Fair 2010 at Tokyo Big Sight", by Kanako, musicJAPANplus, Tokyo, 6 April 2010
- "Tokyo International Anime Fair", by Jon Tarbox, Anime News Network, 3 April 2003
- "Tokyo International Anime Fair 2006", by Kat Avila, Sequential Tart, April 2006
- "The Award for Best Satanic Rabbit Goes to …,", by Virginia Heffernan, New York Times, 2 April 2006
Comic book fairs and trade fairs in Japan |
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Coordinates: 35°37′50″N 139°47′42″E / 35.63056°N 139.795°E / 35.63056; 139.795
